Mother&#39;s helper baby sling

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a harness style support product for the parent or care giver, allowing the user to comfortably hold the baby while standing or sitting up and resting their arms within the wearer&#39;s arm sleeve all while providing comfort and support for the infant. Two adjustable nylon shoulder straps connect from a neck strap down to an adjustable waist strap. A sleeve is in the underside of the garment to insert the arm and rests it securely and comfortably. The mesh sling comprises a removable rectangular footed tray at the bottom of the sling for support for the wearer&#39;s arm, while in a seated position.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/403,576 filed Sep. 17, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled “Mother's Helper Baby Sling.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of baby carrying devices, and more specifically to the field of baby sling garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for baby sling garments. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,152 to Junice A. Dotseth describes a baby carrier designed to be worn by an adult. Principally, the carrier would be worn in front, but it is also adapted for the back or side of the adult. The carrier includes a harness worn by the adult with an attached flap having leg openings for the child's legs. The flap is fixed to the harness at its lower edge and is releasably attached at the upper edge. A head rest for the baby is removably attached to the flap.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,620 to Haken Bergqvist describes a child-supporting harness which includes two mutually connected looped straps which extend around both shoulder regions of the wearer, and a child-supporting flap. The flap is connected to the straps at the top and at the bottom region of its two sides, so as to form a child-carrying pouch.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,739 to Sandra M. Darling and Curt J. Mahlstedt describes a front infant carrier which includes a vest-like harness that is worn by the attendant, a detachable infant shell, and a sling. The detachable infant shell attaches to the harness at three attachment points, either in a forward-facing or rearward-facing orientation.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved baby sling garment in the form of a versatile baby carrying device that also provides firm and stable support for the wearer's arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up front angled perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a close-up front angled perspective view of the device of the present invention with the removable tray shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Holding a newborn baby horizontally, on the arm against the chest, undeniably fosters a sense of security and well-being in the baby. So that the child can rest peacefully, parents try to hold them in this position for as long as possible. However, supporting a baby in such a manner, for extended periods of time, results in discomfort for the infant as well as the caregiver. Lying only against the parent's arm, along with the lack of extra softer support results in stress on the baby's head and neck. In addition, the weight of the baby on the arms for a prolonged amount of time can be very strenuous and tiring for the wearer's arms and back, causing stiffness and hindering of the proper blood circulation in the arms.

The present invention, hereinafter referred as the Mother's Helper baby sling, is a harness style arm support product for the parent or care giver. The Mother's Helper baby sling allows the user to comfortably hold the baby while standing or sitting up and resting their arms within the wearer's arm sleeve all while providing comfort and support for the infant.

The construction consists of two adjustable nylon shoulder straps that connect from a neck strap down to an adjustable waist strap. A mesh sling is incorporated on the front of the garment so that the user inserts their arm and rests it securely and with comfort. The mesh sling, located at the bottom of the sling, further comprises a removable rectangular tray that includes flexible footed support legs which are to be used when the user is in a seated position. This provides the ultimate support for the wearer's arm back and neck. The neck strap comprises an adjustable horizontal strap across the back to provide additional support. Four plastic buckles are located on the waist strap, shoulder straps and neck strap to adjust the size and to don and remove the garment. A variety of colors and patterned straps compliment the overall design of the Mother's Helper baby sling.

The Mother's Helper baby sling is manufactured in accordance to standards set forth by the Juvenile Products Manufactures Association. Fabrics used include cotton nylon mesh and boning, a safe material similar to foam plastic.

Designed for parents, the Mother's Helper baby sling also finds utility in Hospitals, Day Care Centers and with Professional Nannies.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A sling garment for holding an infant in the front of a person, comprising a harness style support consisting of two adjustable shoulder straps, a neck strap, and a waist strap wherein the shoulder straps extend from the neck strap down to an adjustable waist strap, and the neck strap consists of an adjustable horizontal strap which extends between the two shoulder straps at the upper back of the person.
 2. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve incorporated on the underside of the garment so that the user inserts their arm and rests it securely and with comfort.
 3. The garment of claim 2 further comprising four plastic buckles located on the waist strap, shoulder straps and neck strap.
 4. The garment of claim 2 wherein the mesh sling further comprises a pocket for receiving a removable plastic flexibly footed tray located at the bottom of the sling.
 5. The garment of claim 2 wherein the straps are made of material in a color or pattern.
 6. The garment of claim 2 wherein the shoulder straps are made of nylon.
 7. The garment of claim 2 wherein the mesh sling is made of cotton or nylon mesh. 